Saturday, October 25, 2008

How High?

It's close to 6 AM now and I'm feeling awake but not all that thrilled with the day. Of course it's the pain. And the fact that I may have made a mistake by reading through my journal for this year. I read where I first became aware that the pain was more than just a temporary setback to my marathon training. I called it Piriformis Syndrome because that was what I wanted it to be. It wasn't and that was back in March. And I read about the times that I had to wait to see a doctor. 3 months of simply waiting in 6 week segments. 6 weeks where nothing happened to improve my condition. An unknown condition? And more waiting, in 2 or 3 week segments this time.

As far as I can tell, my diagnosis is Stenosis of the L4-L5 vertebrae. An arthritic condition where the bony growth of arthritis presses on the nerves that pass through the holes (foramen) in those vertebrae. Surgery has been discussed after x-rays and an MRI were studied, and then the idea was dismissed because of the fact it would be like taking a sledge hammer to pound in a nail when a 20 oz framing hammer would work as well. So says the surgeon. (The sledge hammer is still an option)

I have been attempting to rid myself of the pain by going to a pain specialist, one who treats with steroid injections and other forms of 'magic'. The steroid injection worked; for a week. Then it was time for more rigorous treatment; RF Lesioning. And it is now almost 6 weeks since that treatment and I'm still in pain. After a treatment that was supposed to work within 4 weeks. And when I called the doctor, I was told to 'give it more time'. And next Wednesday is the end of the waiting. The 6 weeks are up. Then what?

Not one of the doctors has been able to tell me how to keep myself fit during this time. Oh, the pain doctor told me to take up 'rock climbing', something he enjoys doing. Swimming was recommended as well. I guess I should join a fitness center that has a climbing wall and a pool.

Saturday, October 18, 2008

I’m Back?

OK, I've been there and I've done that. That being a walk in the park. We drove to Bidwell where I planned on doing a one-mile walk at a comfortable pace, just to see what would happen.

We set off towards the ½ mile marker and I tried walking with a gait as close to normal as I could. But it wasn't very fast. It was also demoralizing as we were passed by people that I didn't consider fit 'looking'. A mistake on my part I'm sure. I watched runners and fast walkers with envy. And we returned to the car with a record breaking 22 minute/mile average. When I was racewalking I averaged 11 and sometimes 12 minute miles.

After a short amount of rest, we drove to the Farmer's Market and walked across the street and then up and down the two aisles before returning to the car. Maybe another ½ mile?

In any event, I have to say that the pain had increased, but it was still bearable. Now with a clear picture of that pain in my mind, I can go back to the doctor and report on it. Then we will see what he has to offer me.

Trying…testing

I do want to spend some time exercising today. Going walking. I want to know more about my capacity for exercise. I've spent so much time in pain that I've become worried about how to approach any kind of exercise. I certainly don't want to do something that will only hurt me more. So I will do a slow and measured walk and see what that does to my hip and heel. But, should I do it at Bidwell Park? That's the scene of so many of my favorite times; back in the day when I could racewalk. I don't know if I would enjoy seeing the park while I'm crippled. Too many memories.

Wednesday, October 08, 2008

Not Yet

It's been a week since the last one and I suppose it's time for the pain report once again. I wish it weren't so but it's still with me. Last night, it was as bad as it has been in the past. More drugs. I'm taking ibuprofen first thing this morning and hoping to avoid Vicodin later in the day. In the back of my mind, I have to keep saying that the doctor told me 3 to 4 weeks. It's been 3 weeks…